by SLJ Reviews

We've read a lot of books this year. Yet for each of us, one stood out above all the rest. Here are our favorite books we read this year—and why.

SLJ's reviews editors list their favorite Best Books quotations of 2023.

Take a look at the SLJ book reviews editors' favorite book covers from the 2023 Best Books list.

These two titles, both young reader adaptations of adult nonfiction books, put readers in the shoes (or, more accurately, the feathers and families) of their animal counterparts.

Three Kings Day, also known as Epiphany, is on January 6 and commemorates the biblical story of the wise men who brought gifts to the newborn baby Jesus. It is mostly celebrated in Latinx communities and marks the end of the Christmas season. Share these three picture books with young readers to teach them more about the holiday.

From a spirited shark to a cheerful squirrel, the characters in these four graphic novels will inspire holiday cheer in readers.

A runaway dreidel, parading yokai, and dancing ornaments make these holiday picture books that much more magical.

Hand these four books to YA readers who can't resist a sweet holiday love story.

The weighty subject of antiracism—actively dismantling the systems of oppression that are based on race—is made more approachable through these titles.